Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-04-08

An anccdotc illustrating tho legal life rfty
years ago has been put into my hands, md Ia
hero committed to print for tho first time.
Tho competition OF the Bar was very sharp, and
| no lawyers lost nm opportunity to takc advan-
| tagc OF his opponents. II was in the DAYS when
| nll tho lawyers prncticcd through long circuits,
4 comprising several Counties They rode on
horseback from place TO place, carrying their
| books, papers and often their meals in huge
| saddlo.bags.
About 1880 Il happened that Charles II. God.
| dhrd and Thomas Ewing OF Lancaster, woro
| engaged as opposing counsel in an important
case at Marietta, which involved large amount
OF money, The fee would have been q large
one for Ewing had he gained the case, and
| rather small for Goddard II he lost II. Much
time was given to tho preparation for tho trial
by both attorneys, IL was the spring term OF
the Washington County court OF common plcns
when the case wns set for trial. Ewing had ar
ranged that Goddard should meet him Mt
his home in Lancaster. At the time set God
dard left GAINESVILLE for Lancaster, but on
tho way he stopped n short time to try small
case before Justice OF the peace, which delay
cd him unduly, and consequently he was consid.
crnbly bohind time in arriving nt Lancaster
Upon reaching that town he learned that Ewing
had departed three hours before, leaving for
Goddard his apology for not waiting his advent
md said that he would wait for him at certain
place where he expected TO stop ut noon. This
stopping-plnco was most beautiful small
natural grove. Nature could not have desired
moro desirable spot to tarry short timo for
rest and rcircshmcnt
When Goddard approached this stopping
place he noticed his old friend Ewing in
rather peculiar position for rest and refresh
monts Dsmountug and tying his faithful
old stced he quietly slipped up from behind
the large forest trees. Taking up position
Ewing, in order to hear him unperccivod, he
saw Ewing take from his saddle bags his law
books, papers and briefs and deposit them
on large log Then casting his
eyes about TO sec II any one was near by he
commenced his line OF argument for tho great
case that was TO be heard the next day. Ad
dressing large tree, he said. III your honor
peases," and then went on hastily passing in
brief through the entire case and rehcar5ing all
tho points he expected TO make. During this
time Goddard was absorbing in the whole case
and learned how Ewing proposed TO manage
II, At the conclusion Of his argument Ewing
looked about and not seeing or hearing any
thing of his tardy friend, placed the saddle
bags across the horses's back and proceeded on
his way TO Marietta.
After a white Goddard followed him, but did
not arrive in Marietta for some tive, or three
hours after Ewing reached there Matters went
on in as pleasant and agreeable manner as ever,
no allusion being made to the trip,
The next day the trial came on. Ewing was
badly defeated by Goddard. who knew Just
took all the wind from his sails by jocosely re-
pcating 1t. The next day, when they had ar
rived ut the place for rest and refreshments, and
the inner man supplied, Goddard arose from the
log upon which they were seated and taking |
some books and papers from the saddle bags
proceeded in similar address to the big tree. |
This was too much for Ewing; he at once saw
the error he had made, and congratulating God |
dard upon his good fortune in the case he asked |
him never to tell the circumstance TO any one. |
For years Goddard kept the secret, when in the |
fall of the year, 1si0,and during the great polit
ical campaign, Ewing, Tom Corwin, Governor |
Letchcr, Marshall of Kentucky. and several |
prominent gentlemen being present and taking |
dinner at the house OF General Goddard.
The repast being over, the old fellows COM
menced u series of stories and jokes. Goddard, |
looking across the table to his old friend Ewing |
and giving Tom Corwin wink, he said: "Gen-
tlemcn, have something to tell about Tom
Ewing" But Ewing anticipating what Goddard
would say begged OF him not to repeat |
his open-air plea to the big oak tree. But God
dard told the joke, and such an ouiburst OF
laughter and merriment never or has been
since heard in the Goddard mansion.
And this is the way the incident was made |
public, and in the foregoing manner 1t was re-
lated by Mr.. Goddard to Wm. Culbertson, who
gave 1t to the writer.